There was not a doubt in the mind of Miss Starland when she read
the few pencilled lines handed to her by the deserter. She was too
familiar with the handwriting to be mistaken. She passed the paper
to her companion.
"You must not hesitate," said the latter, the moment she caught its
meaning; "go at once."
"Will you come with me?"
"No; I am not asked to do so. I can be of no help, and _I_ have
nothing to fear from my uncle, General Yozarro."
Little preparation was needed. Attired in the light, gauzy material of
the tropics, it only remained for her to adjust her hat and to catch
up the reticule containing a few indispensable articles. Still she
lingered, impressed by the importance of the step she was about to
take.
Martella stood like a statue, but the tension had become almost
intolerable.
"Shall I retire till the Senorita is ready?" he respectfully asked.
"There is no necessity; I have simply to go with you."
"May I then be permitted to say that not a moment must be thrown away?
General Yozarro is expected, and if we linger it will be too late."
Just then the alert ears of the man heard an unusual stir below.
"I fear he has come; we must not stay."
He lowered his voice to a whisper and could not repress signs of
agitation. In the trying instant he decided upon his course of action.
He would go down stairs, and in the excitement, try to slip outside.
Then he would make a dash for life, with the chances still a hundred
to one against success.
The friends embraced affectionately, and the Senorita gently pushed
the other through the door which she opened.
"God and the saints be with you! Linger not another second."
Martella stepped outside, replaced his hat and with his deliberate
walk, led the way down the stairs, which were dimly lighted by the
lamp below. Sternly repressing all signs of haste, he slipped his
right hand under his jacket and rested it on the handle of his knife.
"They shall have a fight for it!" he muttered; "if the General is
within reach, my knife shall find his heart."
But the flurry that had startled him was not caused by the arrival
of General Yozarro. It was due to the natural curiosity over the
departure of one of the young women, which had become known, when the
saddled pony was brought to the front of the Castle where Captain
Navarro was waiting, with one of his soldiers holding the bridle.
Whatever the officer may have thought, it was evident there was no
change in his intentions.
Miss Starland walked lightly forward, fastening her reticule to her
girdle, so as to leave her hands free, bowed to the Captain, who
snapped off his hat, replaced it, and, slightly stooping, took the
tiny foot for a moment in his hand, and assisted her to the saddle and
reached the reins to her. She said "_Adios_!" to him and the others
gathered round, whereat there was a general uncovering. Martella
saluted and with his former dignified tread, walked toward the edge
of the plateau, in the direction of the trail leading to the river
from which he had come. The most wrenching effort of his life was to
restrain himself from breaking into a lope and calling upon his charge
to do the same with her horse. He succeeded by a supreme effort.
It was a hundred yards to the point where the bit of level land
dipped, and half the distance was passed, when Captain Navarro called:
"Stop, Martella! Wait!"
The man instantly halted, thrusting his hand under his jacket and
closing his iron fingers about the handle of his weapon. Matters had
gone too far for any drawing back. It was now to keep on or fight to
the death, for he had no doubt that the officer had changed his mind
and meant to hold both until the arrival of General Yozarro.
"I will pause to hear what he speaks," he said in a low voice to the
wondering young woman; "your horse knows the trail; keep on; you have
not far to go to meet your brother and his friend."
She had checked the pony, but twitched the rein and he walked steadily
toward the darkness, leaving the grim Atlamalcan to have it out with
Captain Navarro. The latter was approaching fast and came up panting
slightly from the exertion.
"Martella, you will not forget to remind General Yozarro that I was
quick to obey his command, as soon as you gave it to me?"
"Have no fear, Captain."
In the immeasurable relief and the dread of awaking distrust, the
deserter punished himself. Instead of immediately following his
charge, he remained facing the officer. It seemed wise to indulge in
some pointless converse.
The Captain looked inquiringly at him, not understanding the cause of
his hesitation.
"Is there anything more you would say to me, Captain? Though I have
lingered longer than I expected, I can afford a few more minutes."
"No, no, except to repeat that you shall be remembered by me. I am
sorry that I detained you; it is best you should make haste."
"Then, if you are sure, I will follow the Senorita, but I can wait a
brief while longer, Captain."
It was the latter who now showed nervousness, though the strain upon
him was not a tenth of what the other suffered.
"Off with you! Do you not see that you may lose the Senorita?"
The pony with its rider was passing from view below the margin of the
plateau, and the man now made the haste that looked natural. Although
the trail was easily followed, his place was in advance. While gliding
past the stirrup, he said:
"We have been fortunate, Senorita, but much danger still threatens."